What organelles can be found in a fully mature red blood cell?
1 Answer
Mammalian erythrocytes ( RBC ) are unique among the vertebrates as they are non - nucleated cells in their mature form.
Explanation:
They have nuclei during early phases of erythropoesis, but extrude them during developement as they mature , in order to provide more space for haemoglobin.
These enucleated RBC 's , go on to lose all other cellular organelles such as their mitochondria, Golgi apparatus and Endoplasmic Reticulum.
Mature RBC's do not contain DNA and cannot synthesise RNA, as they lack nuclei and organelles. Consequently they cannot divide and have limited repair capabilities.
Their inability to carry out protein synthesis means that no virus can evolve to target mammalian RBC's.
As a result of not containing mitochondria these cells use none of the oxygen they transport.
